Determining a network allocation vector setting and a response to a multi-user transmission opportunity

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising: a memory and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, where the processing circuitry is configured to: associate with a master station, decode a trigger frame or a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the master station, where the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a first duration and a transmitter address, and respond to the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if a network allocation vector (NAV) is not set, or if the NAV is set and a saved transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder address for the NAV is the same as the transmitter address of the MU-RTS or trigger frame and the trigger frame or MU-RTS indicates the station is to respond.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/187,569, filed Jul. 1,2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to wireless devices. Some embodiments relate toInstitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11. Someembodiments relate to IEEE 802.11ax. Some embodiments relate to settingnetwork allocation vector (NAV) settings when a station is within morethan one basic service set and/or NAV settings for transmissionopportunities (TXOPs). Some embodiments relate to more than one NAV.Some embodiments relate a station determining when to respond to atrigger frame and request to send packet. Some embodiments relate towhen and/or for how long to enter a power save mode.

BACKGROUND

Efficient use of the resources of a wireless local-area network (WLAN)is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to theusers of the WLAN. Moreover, wireless devices may need to operate withboth newer protocols and with legacy device protocols, and may need tooperate in range of more than one access point. Additionally, manywireless devices have limited battery power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a WLAN in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate transmission opportunities (TXOP) in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates the hidden node problem in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a MU-TXOP in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for determining a NAV setting and a responseto a MU-TXOP in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for sleeping in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of setting a NAV in response to a MU-RTS inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of setting a NAV in response to a MU-RTS inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of MU-RTS frame in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for determining for responding to a triggerframe or MU-RTS in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a HEW device 1300 in accordance with someembodiments.

DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a WLAN 100 in accordance with some embodiments. TheWLAN may comprise a basis service set (BSS) 100 that may include amaster station 102, which may be an AP, a plurality of high-efficiencywireless (HEW) (e.g., IEEE 802.11ax) STAs 104 and a plurality of legacy(e.g., IEEE 802.11n/ac) devices 106.

The master station 102 may be an AP using the IEEE 802.11 to transmitand receive. The master station 102 may be a base station. The masterstation 102 may use other communications protocols as well as the IEEE802.11 protocol. The IEEE 802.11 protocol may be IEEE 802.11ax. The IEEE802.11 protocol may include using orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple-access (OFDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and/orcode division multiple access (CDMA). The IEEE 802.11 protocol mayinclude a multiple access technique. For example, the IEEE 802.11protocol may include space-division multiple access (SDMA) and/ormultiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

The legacy devices 106 may operate in accordance with one or more ofIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af/ah/aj, or another legacy wirelesscommunication standard. The legacy devices 106 may be STAs or IEEE STAs.The HEW STAs 104 may be wireless transmit and receive devices such ascellular telephone, smart telephone, handheld wireless device, wirelessglasses, wireless watch, wireless personal device, tablet, or anotherdevice that may be transmitting and receiving using the IEEE 802.11protocol such as IEEE 802.11ax or another wireless protocol. In someembodiments, the HEW STAs 104 may be termed high efficiency (HE)stations.

The master station 102 may communicate with legacy devices 106 inaccordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. In exampleembodiments, the master station 102 may also be configured tocommunicate with HEW STAs 104 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11communication techniques.

In some embodiments, a HEW frame may be configurable to have the samebandwidth as a subchannel. The bandwidth of a subchannel may be 20 MHz,40 MHz, or 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 80+80MHz (160 MHz) non-contiguous bandwidth. In some embodiments, thebandwidth of a subchannel may be 1 MHz, 1.25 MHz, 2.03 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 5MHz and 10 MHz, or a combination thereof or another bandwidth that isless or equal to the available bandwidth may also be used. In someembodiments the bandwidth of the subchannels may be based on a number ofactive subcarriers. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the subchannelsare multiples of 26 (e.g., 26, 52, 104, etc.) active subcarriers ortones that are spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments the bandwidth ofthe subchannels is 256 tones spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments thesubchannels are multiple of 26 tones or a multiple of 20 MHz. In someembodiments a 20 MHz subchannel may comprise 256 tones for a 256 pointFast Fourier Transform (FFT).

A HEW frame may be configured for transmitting a number of spatialstreams, which may be in accordance with MU-MIMO. In other embodiments,the master station 102, HEW STA 104, and/or legacy device 106 may alsoimplement different technologies such as code division multiple access(CDMA) 2000, CDMA 2000 1×, CDMA 2000 Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO),Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), InterimStandard 856 (IS-856), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System forMobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), IEEE 802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperabilityfor Microwave Access (WiMAX)), BlueTooth®, or other technologies.

Some embodiments relate to HEW communications. In accordance with someIEEE 802.11ax embodiments, a master station 102 may operate as a masterstation which may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g.,during a contention period) to receive exclusive control of the mediumfor an HEW control period. In some embodiments, the HEW control periodmay be termed a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The master station 102may transmit a HEW master-sync transmission, which may be a triggerframe or HEW control and schedule transmission, at the beginning of theHEW control period. The master station 102 may transmit a time durationof the TXOP and sub-channel information. During the HEW control period,HEW STAs 104 may communicate with the master station 102 in accordancewith a non-contention based multiple access technique such as OFDMA orMU-MIMO. This is unlike conventional WLAN communications in whichdevices communicate in accordance with a contention-based communicationtechnique, rather than a multiple access technique. During the HEWcontrol period, the master station 102 may communicate with HEW stations104 using one or more HEW frames. During the HEW control period, the HEWSTAs 104 may operate on a sub-channel smaller than the operating rangeof the master station 102. During the HEW control period, legacystations refrain from communicating.

In accordance with some embodiments, during the master-sync transmissionthe HEW STAs 104 may contend for the wireless medium with the legacydevices 106 being excluded from contending for the wireless mediumduring the master-sync transmission. In some embodiments the triggerframe may indicate an uplink (UL) UL-MU-MIMO and/or UL OFDMA controlperiod.

In some embodiments, the multiple-access technique used during the HEWcontrol period may be a scheduled OFDMA technique, although this is nota requirement. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may bea time-division multiple access (TDMA) technique or a frequency divisionmultiple access (FDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multipleaccess technique may be a space-division multiple access (SDMA)technique.

The master station 102 may also communicate with legacy stations 106and/or HEW stations 104 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11communication techniques. In some embodiments, the master station 102may also be configurable to communicate with HEW stations 104 outsidethe HEW control period in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11communication techniques, although this is not a requirement.

In example embodiments, the HEW device 104 and/or the master station 102are configured to perform the methods and functions herein described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-13.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate transmission opportunities (TXOP) 222, 322, 422, inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 is time 204,304, 404, respectively, along a horizontal axis, frequency 202, 302,402, respectively, along a vertical axis, and a transmitter (e.g., AP206 or STAs 208) along the bottom.

FIG. 2 illustrates a transmission opportunity (TXOP) 222. The TXOP 222may begin with a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) 210 beingtransmitted by an AP 206. The AP 206 may be a master station 102. TheSTAs 208 may be HEW stations 104. The STAs 208 are associated with theAP 206. The MU-RTS 210 may initiate a MU-TXOP 222. A TXOP started by aMU-RTS 210 and CTSs 212 may be termed a MU-TXOP. Only the AP 206 shouldbe able to contend for the wireless medium in a MU-TXOP. The MU-RTS 210may include an indication of which STAs 208 are to transmitclear-to-sends (CTSs) 212 and an indication of whether a STA 408 isparticipating in the MU-TXOP 222 (e.g., see FIG. 11). The MU-RTS 210and/or DL MU-DATA 214 may include information for a trigger frame suchas resource allocations for one or more STAs 208 that includes aduration and one or more sub-channels.

The MU-TXOP 222 may continue with the STAs 208 transmitting CTSs 212.For example, some or all of the STAs 208 may transmit CTSs 312 inaccordance with the MU-RTS 310 and network allocation vector (NAV)settings of the STAs 208. The MU-TXOP 222 continues with down-linkmulti-user data (DL MU-DATA) 214 being transmitted by the AP 206. The DLMU-DATA 214 includes data for one or more of the STAs 208. The DLMU-DATA 214 is transmitted in accordance with the trigger frame.

The MU-TXOP 222 continues with UL-MU-ACK 216 being transmitted by theSTAs 208. The STAs 208 that received data in DL MU-DATA 214 transmit anacknowledgement or block acknowledgement to the AP 206 in the UL MU-ACK216. The resources to use to transmit the UL MU-ACK 216 to the AP 206may be indicated either explicitly or implicitly in the trigger frame.The MU-TXOP 222 may end.

FIG. 3 illustrates a TXOP 322. The TXOP 322 may begin with a MU-RTS 310being transmitted by an AP 206. The MU-RTS 310 may initiate a TXOP 322.The MU-RTS 310 may include an indication of which STAs 208 are totransmit CTSs 312 and an indication of whether a STA 208 isparticipating in the MU-TXOP 222 (e.g., see FIG. 11). The MU-RTS 310and/or DL MU-DATA 314 may include information for a trigger frame suchas resource allocations for one or more STAs 208 that includes aduration and one or more sub-channels.

The MU-TXOP 322 may continue with the STAs 208 transmitting CTSs 312.For example, some or all of the STAs 208 may transmit CTSs 312 inaccordance with the MU-RTS 310 and network allocation vector (NAV)settings of the STAs 208. The MU-TXOP 322 continues with DL MU-DATA 314being transmitted by the AP 206. The DL MU-DATA 314 includes data forone or more of the STAs 208. The DL MU-DATA 314 is transmitted inaccordance with the trigger frame.

The MU-TXOP 322 continues with UL-MU-ACK 316 being transmitted by theSTAs 208. The STAs 208 that received data in DL MU-DATA 314 transmit anacknowledgement or block acknowledgement to the AP 206 in the UL MU-ACK316. The resources to use to transmit the UL MU-ACK 316 to the AP 206may be indicated either explicitly or implicitly in the trigger frame.

The MU-TXOP 322 may continue with DL MU-DATA 318 and UL MU-ACK 320 beingtransmitted by the AP 206 and STAs 208, respectively. The resources totransmit the DL MU-DATA 318 and UL MU-ACK 320 may have been indicated inthe trigger frame. The MU-TXOP 322 may end.

FIG. 4 illustrates a TXOP 422. The TXOP 422 may begin with a MU-RTS 410being transmitted by an AP 206. The MU-RTS 410 may initiate a TXOP 422.The MU-RTS 410 may include an indication of which STAs 208 are totransmit CTSs 412 and an indication of whether a STA 208 isparticipating in the MU-TXOP 422 (e.g., see FIG. 11). The MU-RTS 410and/or DL MU-DATA 414 may include information for a trigger frame suchas resource allocations for one or more STAs 208 that includes aduration and one or more sub-channels.

The MU-TXOP 422 may continue with the STAs 208 transmitting CTSs 412.For example, some or all of the STAs 208 may transmit CTSs 412 inaccordance with the MU-RTS 410 and network allocation vector (NAV)settings of the STAs 208. The MU-TXOP 422 continues with DL MU-DATA andtriggers 414 being transmitted by the AP 206. The DL MU-DATA andtriggers 414 includes data for one or more of the STAs 208 and one ormore trigger frames that indicate one or more STAs 208 may transmit datato the AP 206. The DL MU-DATA and triggers 414 is transmitted inaccordance with the trigger frame. The uplink (UL) MU-ACK and UL MU-DATA416 is transmitted by the STAs 208. The UL MU-DATA is transmitted inaccordance with the triggers in the DL MU-DATA and triggers 414. TheMU-TXOP 422 continues with DL MU-ACK and DL MU-DATA 418. The DL MU-ACKmay be in response to the UL MU-DATA 416 and the DL MU-DATA may beadditional DL of data. The resource allocations for the DL MU-DATA maybe included in the trigger frame or a subsequent frame such as the DLMU-ACK and DL MU-DATA 418. The UL MU-ACK 420 may be transmitted by theSTAs 208 in response to the DL MU-DATA of the DL MU-ACK and DL MU-DATA418. The MU-TXOP 422 may end.

In some embodiments additional frames may be download and/or uploaded inaccordance with trigger frames that may be sent independently or inconjunction with other frames. Moreover, the trigger frames may indicatea duration that includes multiple data transmissions by the AP 206 inone TXOP. Additionally, frames may include trigger frames for one ormore STAs in addition to data.

FIG. 5 illustrates the hidden node problem in accordance with exampleembodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 5 are the transmission range 502 of abasic service set (BSS), the transmission range 504 of an overlappingBSS (OBSS), master station 102, HEW stations 104, transmission 550, andtransmission 552.

The master station 102 may be sending transmission 550 to HEW device104.1. The master station 102 transmission range 502 does not includehidden node 108C. Hidden node 108C will then not receive transmission550 and will not defer transmitting. For example, hidden node 108C wouldnot receive the MU-RTS 210 of FIG. 2. Hidden node 108C may then transmitat the same time that master station 102 is transmitting, which mayinterfere with the reception of the transmission 550 to HEW station104.1. The MU-RTS/CTSs are intended to set the NAV of the hidden nodes108C so as not to interfere with the MU-TXOPs.

In example embodiments, the master station 102 and HEW stations 104 maybe configured to use MU-RTS/CTS in an OFDMA or MU-MIMO downlinktransmission so that the hidden node 108 will defer transmitting duringthe OFDMA and/or MU-MIMO MU-TXOP. In example embodiments, the masterstation 102 and/or HEW devices 104 may set a physical (PHY) length fieldor a media access control (MAC) length field to defer the hidden nodes108.

Additionally, HEW station 104.1 is transmitting transmission 552 tomaster station 102 at a different time than when master station 102 istransmitting transmission 550. HEW station 104.2 may contend for thewireless medium when HEW station 104.1 is transmitting transmission 552unless a NAV of HEW station 104.2 is set. HEW station 104.2 may then bea hidden node with respect to HEW station 104.1 during transmission 552.

FIG. 6 illustrates a MU-TXOP 622 in accordance with some embodiments.Illustrates in FIG. 6 is frequency 602 along a vertical axis and time604 along a horizontal axis 604. The MU-TXOP 606 may have started with aMU-RTS or trigger frame (not illustrated.) The MU-TXOP 622 continueswith a DL MU data 612 and trigger 613 transmitted by the AP 606. The DLMU data 612 includes data to STAs 1, 2, 3 608. The trigger 613 includesa trigger frame to STA 4 609. The MU-TXOP 622 continues with an UL DATA617 by STA 4 609 and UL-MU ACK by STAs 1, 2, 3 608. STAs 1, 2, 3 608transmit an UL-MU ACK to acknowledge the DL MU data 612 from the AP 606.STA 4, in accordance with the trigger in 613, transmits UL data 617 tothe AP 606.

If STA 5 did not set a NAV during an initial trigger frame transmissionor an MU-RTS, then STA 5 610 may contend 619 for wireless medium. Thetechnical problem may be that when STAs 1, 2, 3 608 and/or STA 4 609transmit that STA 5 610 may be hidden to STAs 1, 2, 3 608 and/or STA 4and not set a NAV. For example, STA 5 610 may be HEW station 104.2 andSTA 4 609 may be HEW station 104.1. The contend 619 by STA 5 610 is thensuccessful since STA 5 610 does not receive the transmission UL data 617and UL-MU ACK 616.

The MU-TXOP 622 continues with DL ACK 614 to STA 4 and DL data 615 toSTA 5 being transmitted by the AP 606. The DL ACK 614 may be in responseto the UL data 617. The DL data 615 to STA 5 may be in response to thetransmit 618 which may include a request for data. The MU-TXOP 622continues with UL ACK 620 by STA 5 610 in response to the DL data 615.The MU-TXOP 622 may end.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for determining a NAV setting and aresponse to a MU-TXOP in accordance with some embodiments. The method700 begins at operation 702 with associating with a master station. Forexample a HEW station 104 may associate with the master station 102. Themaster station 102 may generate an association identification (AID) forthe HEW station 102. Once the master station 102 and HEW station 104 areassociated the master station 102 and/or HEW station 104 may performservices for one another. For example, the master station 102 may bufferdata from outside sources (e.g., the Internet) for the HEW station 104and then transmit the data to the HEW station 104. As another example,the master station 102 may receive data from the HEW station 104 andforward the data to another device.

The method 700 continues at operation 704 with decoding a MU-RTS fromthe master station where the MU-RTS comprises a duration. For example, aHEW station 104 may receive a MU-RTS frame and decode the MU-RTS frame.The MU-RTS frame includes a duration which is a time for the stationperforming the method to set their NAV so that the station does notcontend for the wireless medium. For example, duration 1112 (FIG. 11),which may be two octets of data to indicate a duration.

The MU-RTS includes a receiver address (RA). In some embodiments, themaster station 102 is configured to set the RA as a broadcast address.The broadcast address does not match the address of any stations (e.g.,HEW stations 104) attached to the master station 102.

The method 700 continues at operation 706 with determining whether toset a NAV to the duration in the MU-RTS. The stations (e.g., HEWstations 104) are configured to set their NAV if the RA address does notmatch an address of the station, in accordance with some embodiments.For example, a HEW station 104 may set a NAV of the HEW station 104 tothe duration of the RTS.

In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 has an OBSS NAV and an intraBSS (IBSS) NAV (see FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the HEW stations 104will set the IBSS NAV based on the duration of the MU-RTS.

In some embodiments, the MU-RTS frame includes one or more addresses ofHEW stations (e.g., FIG. 11). The HEW stations 104 may be configured tonot set their NAV based on the MU-RTS if their address is indicated inthe MU-RTS frame. In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 may determinenot to set the NAV based on the MU-RTS frame if the NAV of the HEWstation 104 is already set and the duration of the NAV extends beyondthe duration indicated in the MU-RTS and the NAV of the HEW station 104was not set by the same master station 102 that transmitted the MU-RTS.

In some embodiments, if the HEW station 104 receives the MU-RTS and theaddress of the HEW station 104 is not indicated by the MU-RTS, then theHEW station 104 determines to set its NAV to the duration. In someembodiments, if the address of the HEW station 104 is not indicated inthe MU-RTS and the NAV is already set of the HEW station 104, then theHEW station will set the NAV to the MU-RTS if it extends beyond thecurrent NAV setting. In some embodiments, if the address of the HEWstation 104 is not indicated in the MU-RTS and the NAV is already set ofthe HEW station 104, then the HEW station 104 will set the NAV to theMU-RTS duration if the NAV of the HEW station 104 was set by the samemaster station 102 (or by a master station 102 in the same BSS 100) thattransmitted the MU-RTS frame.

In some embodiments, the MU-RTS indicates whether the station willparticipate in the TXOP to follow. The station may determine not to setthe NAV because the station will participate in the TXOP (in accordancewith a subsequent trigger frame.) In some embodiments, a station willset the NAV if the station is not to participate in the TXOP. Thestation may still transmit a MU-CTS. In some embodiments, the stationwill go into a sleep mode for the duration of the TXOP indicated by theduration in the MU-RTS.

If the station determines to set its NAV based on the MU-RTS, then themethod 700 continues at operation 708 with setting a NAV. For example,if a HEW station 104 determines to set its NAV in operation 706, thenthe HEW station 104 may set its NAV to the duration indicated in theMU-RTS frame.

In some embodiments, the MU-RTS may indicate the address of the HEWstation 102 to transmit a MU-CTS, and indicate that the HEW station 104should set its NAV.

The method 700 continues at operation 710 with encoding a MU-CTS. Forexample, the HEW station 104 may encode a MU-CTS with a duration set toa duration based on the duration of the MU-RTS. The HEW station 104 maythen transmit the MU-CTS.

The method 700 continues at operation 710 with determining whether totransmit a MU-CTS. In some embodiments, a HEW station 104 will notrespond to the MU-RTS if the NAV of the HEW station 104 was set prior tothe receipt of the MU-RTS. In some embodiments, the MU-RTS includes anindication of the address of HEW stations 104 (e.g., FIG. 11). The HEWstation 104 may determine to transmit a MU-CTS if the address of the HEWstation 104 is indicated in the MU-RTS.

In some embodiments, when HEW stations 104 determine whether to respondto a trigger frame or MU-RTS, the HEW stations 104 will not consider theIBSS NAV, but only the OBSS NAV. The HEW station 104 may determine notto transmit a MU-CTS if the OBSS NAV is set.

The method 700 continues at operation 714 with decoding a trigger frame.For example, the HEW station 104 may receive a trigger frame. Thetrigger frame may be part of the MU-RTS. The trigger frame may be partof another transmission.

The method 700 continues at operation 716 with is there a resourceallocation for the station. The trigger frame may indicate an uplink(UL), downlink (DL), or trigger frame resource for the station. If thereare no resource allocations for the station, then the method continuesat operation 726 with continue. In some embodiments, if the station isnot indicated in the trigger frame and not indicated (or polled) in theMU-RTS, then the station will set the NAV in accordance with the MU-RTSand/or trigger frame to defer until the TXOP indicated by the triggerframe is over.

If there is a resource allocation for the station, then the method 700continues at operation 718 with NAV set. If the NAV is not set, then themethod 700 continues at operation 724 where the station may use resourceallocation. For example, the HEW station 104 may transmit data to themaster station 102 or receive data from the master station 102 inaccordance with the trigger frame. In some embodiments, the HEW stations104 will determine whether the OBSS NAV is set.

If the NAV is set at operation 718, then the method 700 continues atoperation 720 with reset NAV. For example, the HEW station 104 maydetermine to reset the NAV if the MAC address of the master station 102that transmitted the trigger frame is the same as the MAC address of themaster station 102 that transmitted the frame that set the NAV (e.g.,the MU-RTS). In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 may determine toreset the NAV if the MAC address of the master station 102 thattransmitted the trigger frame is the same as the MAC address of themaster station 102 that transmitted the frame that set the NAV (e.g.,the MU-RTS) and the resource allocation is an UL resource allocation. Insome embodiments, the HEW stations 104 will not reset a OBSS but mayreset the IBSS.

Some embodiments solve the technical problem that a MU-RTS may set a NAVand prevent the station from using the resource allocation indicated inthe trigger frame.

In some embodiments, the station may determine to reset the NAV if theNAV was set by a MU-RTS and if they do not receive any MU-CTS and do notobserve data from the master station 102 that sent the MU-RTS for apredetermined time after receiving the MU-RTS. In some embodiments, thestation will determine to reset the NAV if the same master station 102that sent the MU-RTS sent the trigger frame.

In some embodiments, the station may determine to reset the NAV based ona size of a UL transmission indicated in the trigger frame. For example,if the UL transmission is above a predetermined threshold, the stationmay reset the NAV. In some embodiments, the station may determine toreset the NAV based on whether an ACK is included in the uplinktransmission or not. For example, if an ACK is included in the ULtransmission, the station may determine to reset the NAV.

The method 700 continues at operation 726 if the station determines notto reset the NAV. The method 700 continues at operation 722 with resetthe NAV if the station determines to reset the NAV. For example, HEWstation 104 may reset the NAV. The method 700 continues at operation 724with using resource allocation.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for sleeping in accordance with someembodiments. The method 800 begins at operation 802 with a HEW station104 decoding a trigger frame or MU-RTS from the master station where thetrigger frame or MU-RTS comprises a duration. The method 800 continuesat operation 804 with determining whether to go to sleep. The HEWstation 104 may decode the trigger frame or MU-RTS and determine whetheror not the HEW station 104 is to participate in a TXOP. If the HEWstation 104 is not to participate in the TXOP, then the HEW station 104may determine to go to sleep. In some embodiments, the HEW station 104may transmit a clear-to-send in response to the MU-RTS and then enterthe sleep mode. In some embodiments, the MU-RTS may give a time for whenthe HEW station 104 is to receive a resource allocation in the TXOP. TheHEW station 104 may determine whether to go to sleep based on whetherthe time before the resource allocation happens is above a predeterminedthreshold.

If the HEW station 104 determines not to go to sleep, the method 800 maycontinue at operation 808 with continuing. The HEW station 104 maycontinue to perform operations in a non-sleep mode. If the HEW station104 determines to go to sleep, then the method 800 continues atoperation 806 with the HEW station 104 entering a sleep mode. Forexample, the HEW station 104 may enter a reduced power mode until awake-up time which may be until the HEW station is to receive a resourceallocation in the trigger frame or until the TXOP is over. The method800 continues at operation 808 with continuing, and then the method 800ends.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of setting a NAV in response to a MU-RTS inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrates in FIG. 9 is time 904along a horizontal axis and frequency 902 along a vertical axis. NAVsettings 910 are indicated at the top along the horizontal axis. TheNAVs 912 and 914 and may be the NAV of a HEW station 104. The NAV 914may be set by an OBSS frame before the MU-RTS 916. The HEW station 104may receive MU-RTS 916 from an AP 906, which may be a master station 102that the HEW station 104 is associated with, and determine to set theNAV to 912 since the duration in the MU-RTS is longer than the durationof the NAV 914. The HEW station 104 may then receive trigger 918 fromthe AP 906 and reset the NAV based on the NAV 912 being set by theMU-RTS 916 transmitted by the same AP 906 (or master station 102) thattransmits the trigger 918. The STA 908, which may be a HEW station 104may then transmit data 920. In some embodiments, there is a technicalproblem of the HEW station 104 transmitting during the time of the NAV914.

In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 has two NAVs so that the HEWstation 104 does not transmit in the situation described in FIG. 9. TheHEW station 104 may have an OBSS NAV and an intra BSS (IBSS) NAV. TheMU-RTS and trigger frame will set IBSS NAV of the stations. When HEWstations 104 determine whether to respond to a trigger frame or MU-RTS,the HEW stations 104 will not consider the IBSS NAV, but only the OBSSNAV, in accordance with some embodiments.

If a HEW station 104 is set by IBSS NAV, then a STA will not contend. Ifa HEW station 104 can determine if a frame is IBSS frame, then STA canalso set IBSS NAV based on the IBSS frame. A CF-End frame may be used toend IBSS NAV if the CF-end is from an IBSS master station 102.Similarly, CF-end frame can be used to end inter BSS NAV if the CF-Endis from inter BSS. In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 recordswhether a NAV is set by IBSS master station 102 or an OBSS masterstation 102. The HEW station 104 may reset the NAV if a CF-end is froman OBSS master station 102 and the NAV was set by the same OBSS masterstation 102 (or a master station from the same OBSS). The HEW station104 may reset the NAV if a CF-end is from an IBSS master station 102 andthe NAV was set by an IBSS master station 102 (or a master station 102from the same IBSS).

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of setting a NAV in response to a MU-RTS inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrates in FIG. 10 is time 1004along a horizontal axis and frequency 1002 along a vertical axis. NAVsettings 1012 are indicated at the top along the horizontal axis. TheIBSS NAVs 1014 and OBSS NAV 1016 are NAVs of a HEW station 104. The OBSSNAV 1016 may be set by an OBSS frame before the MU-RTS 1006. The HEWstation 104 may receive MU-RTS 1006 from an AP 1006, which may be amaster station 102 that the HEW station 104 is associated with, and setthe IBSS NAV to 1014. The HEW station 104 may then receive trigger 1020from the AP 1006 (master station 102) and reset the IBSS NAV 1014 basedon the NAV 1014 being set by the MU-RTS 1014 transmitted by the samemaster station 102 that transmits the trigger 1006. The HEW station 104may then determine whether to transmit data 1010. In some embodiments,the HEW station 104 (STA 1010) will not transmit data 1022 because theOBSS NAV is still set. In some embodiments, the STA 1010 may beconfigured to respond to the trigger 1020 if the response is an ACK/BACKand/or a duration of the response is below a threshold.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of MU-RTS frame 1100 in accordance withsome embodiments. The MU-RTS frame 110 includes STA information 1102,TXOP indication 1110, duration 1112, and resource allocation 1114. Theduration 1112 is the duration of the TXOP opportunity. The STAinformation 1102 includes STA AID 1104, start of protected 20 MHz bands1106, number of 20 MHz bands, and TXOP indication 1110. The STA AID 1104is an indication of the association identification of the HEW station104. In some embodiments, the STA AID 1104 may be indicated in adifferent way. For example, as a group and then group member. The startof protected 20 MHz bands 1106 and number of 20 MHz bands is anindication of one or more sub-channels for the HEW station 104 to use.In some embodiments, the sub-channels may be indicated in a differentmanner. The TXOP indication 1110 is an optional field that is anindication of whether the HEW station 104 identified by STA AID 1104will be assigned a resource allocation in the trigger frame.

In some embodiments, the MU-RTS 1100 may also include a resourceallocation 1114. The resource allocation 1114 may include one or moresub-channels and a duration for the HEW station 104 to use in a TXOP.The MU-RTS 1100 may include the resource allocation 1114 and may begin aTXOP so that a trigger frame is not necessary.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 for determining for responding to atrigger frame or MU-RTS in accordance with some embodiments. The method1200 may being at operation 1202 with associating with a master station.For example a HEW station 104 may associate with the master station 102.The master station 102 may generate an association identification (AID)for the HEW station 102. Once the master station 102 and HEW station 104are associated the master station 102 and/or HEW station 104 may performservices for one another. For example, the master station 102 may bufferdata from outside sources (e.g., the Internet) for the HEW station 104and then transmit the data to the HEW station 104. As another example,the master station 102 may receive data from the HEW station 104 andforward the data to another device.

The method 1200 continues at operation 1204 with decode a trigger frame(TF) or MU-RTS frame from the master station, where the TF or MU-RTScomprises a duration subfield. For example, a HEW station 104 mayreceive and decode a TF or MU-RTS frame such as MU-RTS 1100 or a TF (notillustrates) that may or may not include a resource allocation for theHEW station 104 to participate in a TXOP.

The HEW station 104 may receive the trigger frame or MU-RTS inaccordance with one from the following group: MU-MIMO, OFDMA, anddownlink single user (DL SU).

The method 1200 continues at operation 1204 with determining whether torespond to the TF or MU-RTS. For example, a HEW station 104 may receivea MU-RTS or TF and determine whether or not to respond to the MU-RTS orTF.

In some embodiments, the HEW station may determine to respond to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if a NAV is not set, or if the NAV isset and a saved TXOP holder address for the NAV is the same as thetransmitter address of the MU-RTS or trigger frame and the trigger frameor MU-RTS indicates the station is to respond. In some embodiments abroadcast address as the receiver address in the MU-RTS does notindicate the address of the station.

In some embodiments, the HEW device 104 and/or master station 102 may beconfigured to store a TXOP address when it sets the NAV. For example, ifa packet includes a duration and a transmitter address, then the HEWdevice 104 may set the TXOP address to the transmitter address and theNAV to the duration.

In some embodiments, the HEW device 104 may determine to respond to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if the NAV is set and a response tothe trigger frame is to be an ACK or BA and the duration of the responseis below a threshold.

In some embodiments, the HEW device 103 may determine to respond to thetrigger frame if a duration of an uplink transmission is less than athreshold and if the trigger frame indicates the station is to respond.

In some embodiments, the HEW device 103 may determine to respond to thetrigger frame if an acknowledgement is to be transmitted to the masterstation in accordance with the trigger frame.

The method 1200 may continue at operation 1206 with respond to the TF orthe MU-RTS frame. For example, the HEW station 104 will respond based onthe determination made at operation 1204. The method 1200 continues atoperation 1208 with responding to the TF or MU-RTS if it was determinedto respond at operation 1204.

For example, the HEW station 104 may encode a data frame, ACK frame, orBA frame; and respond to the trigger frame or MU-RTS by causing the dataframe, the ACK frame, or the BACK frame to be transmitted to the masterstation in accordance with at least one from the following group:MU-MIMO and OFDMA. The HEW station 104 may respond in accordance with aresource allocation indicated in the trigger frame or MU-RTS.

In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 may respond to the MU-RTS byencoding a multi-user clear-to-send (MU-CTS) with a duration field thatindicates how long other wireless devices are to defer, where theduration field is determined based a duration indicated in the MU-RTS.The duration field indicates how long other wireless devices are todefer.

In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 may respond to the TR or MU-RTSby receiving packets in accordance with a resource allocation for aTXOP. In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 may receive a an uplinkresource allocation in the TXOP and transmit uplink data to the masterstation 102.

In some embodiments, the HEW station 104 is configured to if the NAV isset to the duration indicated in the TR or MU-RTS, reset the NAV, if aclear-to-send (CTS) is not received from another wireless device withina first predetermined time after the MU-RTS is received and data is notreceived from the master station within a second predetermined time. Insome embodiments, the method 1200 may optionally include setting the NAVafter operation 1208.

If the station is not to respond to the TF or MU-RTS, then the method1200 may continue from operation 1206 to, optionally, operation 1212with setting the NAV.

For example, the HEW station 104 may set the NAV to the durationindicated in the TF or MU-RTS, if the duration is longer than a currentduration of the NAV, and if the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frameindicates the station is not to respond to the trigger frame or theMU-RTS frame.

The method 1200 may continue with, optionally, entering a sleep state.For example, the HEW station 104 may be configured to enter a sleepstate if the station is not to participate in a transmission opportunityindicated by the TF or MU-RTS frame. In some embodiments, the TF orMU-RTS comprises a time when the station will receive or transmit in aTXOP, and the HEW station 104 may be configured to enter a sleep stateuntil the time when the wireless device is to receive or transmit in theTXOP. The method 1200 after operation 1208 and operation 1214 maycontinue at operation 1210 with continuing.

FIG. 13 illustrates a HEW device 1300 in accordance with someembodiments. HEW device 1300 may be an HEW compliant device that may bearranged to communicate with one or more other HEW devices, such as HEWSTAs 104 (FIG. 1) or master station 102 (FIG. 1) as well as communicatewith legacy devices 106 (FIG. 1). HEW STAs 104 and legacy devices 106may also be referred to as HEW devices and legacy STAs, respectively.HEW device 1300 may be suitable for operating as master station 102(FIG. 1) or a HEW STA 104 (FIG. 1). In accordance with embodiments, HEWdevice 1300 may include, among other things, a transmit/receive element1301 (for example an antenna), a transceiver 1302, physical (PHY)circuitry 1304, and media access control (MAC) circuitry 1306. PHYcircuitry 1304 and MAC circuitry 1306 may be HEW compliant layers andmay also be compliant with one or more legacy IEEE 802.13 standards. MACcircuitry 1306 may be arranged to configure packets such as a physicallayer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDUs) andarranged to transmit and receive PPDUs, among other things. HEW device1300 may also include circuitry 1308 and memory 1310 configured toperform the various operations described herein. The circuitry 1308 maybe coupled to the transceiver 1302, which may be coupled to thetransmit/receive element 1301. While FIG. 13 depicts the circuitry 1308and the transceiver 1302 as separate components, the circuitry 1308 andthe transceiver 1302 may be integrated together in an electronic packageor chip.

In some embodiments, the MAC circuitry 1306 may be arranged to contendfor a wireless medium during a contention period to receive control ofthe medium for the HEW control period and configure an HEW PPDU. In someembodiments, the MAC circuitry 1306 may be arranged to contend for thewireless medium based on channel contention settings, a transmittingpower level, and a CCA level.

The PHY circuitry 1304 may be arranged to transmit the HEW PPDU. The PHYcircuitry 1304 may include circuitry for modulation/demodulation,upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In someembodiments, the circuitry 1308 may include one or more processors. Thecircuitry 1308 may be configured to perform functions based oninstructions being stored in a RAM or ROM, or based on special purposecircuitry. The circuitry 1308 may include processing circuitry and/ortransceiver circuitry in accordance with some embodiments. The circuitry1308 may include a processor such as a general purpose processor orspecial purpose processor. Although illustrated as separate elements,the PHY 1304 and MAC 906 may be part of the circuitry 1308. Thecircuitry 1308 may implement one or more functions associated withtransmit/receive elements 1301, the transceiver 1302, the PHY circuitry1304, the MAC circuitry 1306, and/or the memory 1310.

In some embodiments, the circuitry 1308 may be configured to perform oneor more of the functions and/or methods described herein and/or inconjunction with FIGS. 1-13.

In some embodiments, the transmit/receive elements 1301 may be two ormore antennas that may be coupled to the PHY circuitry 1304 and arrangedfor sending and receiving signals including transmission of the HEWpackets. The transceiver 1302 may transmit and receive data such as HEWPPDU and packets that include an indication that the HEW device 1300should adapt the channel contention settings according to settingsincluded in the packet. The memory 1310 may store information forconfiguring the other circuitry to perform operations for configuringand transmitting HEW packets and performing the various operations toperform one or more of the functions and/or methods described hereinand/or in conjunction with FIGS. 1-13.

In some embodiments, the HEW device 1300 may be configured tocommunicate using OFDM communication signals over a multicarriercommunication channel. In some embodiments, HEW device 1300 may beconfigured to communicate in accordance with one or more specificcommunication standards, such as the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including IEEE 802.11-2012,802.11n-2009, 802.11ac-2013, 802.11ax, DensiFi, standards and/orproposed specifications for WLANs, or other standards as described inconjunction with FIG. 1, although the scope of the invention is notlimited in this respect as they may also be suitable to transmit and/orreceive communications in accordance with other techniques andstandards. In some embodiments, the HEW device 1300 may use 4× symbolduration of 802.11n or 802.11 ac.

In some embodiments, an HEW device 1300 may be part of a portablewireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant(PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communicationcapability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wirelessheadset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, anaccess point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart ratemonitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), an access point, a basestation, a transmit/receive device for a wireless standard such as802.11 or 802.16, or other device that may receive and/or transmitinformation wirelessly. In some embodiments, the mobile device mayinclude one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memoryport, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor,speakers, and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCDscreen including a touch screen.

The transmit/receive element 1301 may comprise one or more directionalor omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas,monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas orother types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In somemultiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may beeffectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and thedifferent channel characteristics that may result.

Although the HEW device 1300 is illustrated as having several separatefunctional elements, one or more of the functional elements may becombined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configuredelements, such as processing elements including digital signalprocessors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, someelements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) andcombinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing atleast the functions described herein. In some embodiments, thefunctional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on oneor more processing elements.

Some embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in softwareand/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form ofinstructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by oneor more processors to enable performance of the operations describedherein. Those instructions may then be read and executed by one or moreprocessors to cause the device 1300 to perform the methods and/oroperations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitableform, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpretedcode, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such acomputer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory mediumfor storing information in a form readable by one or more computers,such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory(RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flashmemory, etc.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. Example 1 is anapparatus of a station. The apparatus comprising a memory and processingcircuitry coupled to the memory. The processing circuitry configured to:associate with a master station; decode a trigger frame or a multi-userrequest-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the master station, wherein thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a first duration and atransmitter address; and respond to the trigger frame or the MU-RTSframe if a network allocation vector (NAV) is not set, or if the NAV isset and a saved transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder address for theNAV is the same as the transmitter address of the MU-RTS or triggerframe and the trigger frame or MU-RTS indicates the station is torespond.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configured to: respond to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if the NAV is set and a response tothe trigger frame is to be an acknowledge (ACK) or block ACK (BA) andthe duration of the response is below a threshold.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1 or 2 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: encodea data frame, acknowledge (ACK) frame, or block ACK (BACK) frame; andrespond to the trigger frame by causing the data frame, the ACK frame,or the BACK frame to be transmitted to the master station in accordancewith at least one from the following group: multi-user multiple-inputmultiple-output (MU-MIMO) and orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 4, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: set theNAV to the first duration if the first duration is longer than a currentduration of the NAV, and if the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frameindicates the station is not to respond to the trigger frame or theMU-RTS frame.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-4 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is configured to: in response tothe MU-RTS, encode a multi-user clear-to-send (MU-CTS) with a durationfield that indicates how long other wireless devices are to defer,wherein the duration field is determined based on the first duration.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-5 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is configured to: determine ifthe MU-RTS indicates the station is to transmit a multi-userclear-to-send (MU-CTS), and if the wireless device is to transmit aMU-CTS, encode the MU-CTS with a duration field that indicates how longother wireless devices are to defer, wherein the duration field isdetermined based on the first duration.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: respondto the MU-RTS with a multi-user clear-to-send (MU-CTS); and encode theMU-CTS with a duration field that indicates how long other wirelessdevices are to defer, wherein the duration field is determined based onthe first duration.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configured to: if the NAV isset to the first duration, reset the NAV, if a clear-to-send (CTS) isnot received from another wireless device within a first predeterminedtime after the MU-RTS is received and data is not received from themaster station within a second predetermined time.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 can optionally includewhere the MU-RTS further comprises an indication that the station is totransmit or receive in a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

In Example 10, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-9 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: respondto the trigger frame if a duration of an uplink transmission is lessthan a threshold and if the trigger frame indicates the station is torespond.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-10 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: respondto the trigger frame if an acknowledgement is to be transmitted to themaster station in accordance with the trigger frame.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11 can optionallyinclude where a broadcast address as the receiver address in the MU-RTSdoes not indicate the address of the station.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-12 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: enter asleep state if the station is not to participate in a transmissionopportunity indicated by the trigger frame or MU-RTS frame.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-13 can optionallyinclude where the trigger frame comprises a time when the station willreceive or transmit in a transmission opportunity (TXOP) indicated bythe trigger frame or MU-RTS frame, and wherein the processing circuitryis further configured to: enter a sleep state until the time when thewireless device is to receive or transmit in the TXOP.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-14 can optionallyinclude where the station is one from the following group: a station, anaccess point, an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)802.11ax access point, an IEEE 802.11ax station, and an IEEE station,and an IEEE access point.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-15 can optionallyinclude one or more antennas coupled to the processing circuitry.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-16 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to: receivethe trigger frame or MU-RTS in accordance with one from the followinggroup: multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO), orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA), and downlink single user (DLSU).

In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive apacket in a transmission opportunity indicated by the trigger frame orMU-RTS in accordance with one or more from the following group: downlink(DL) multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO), DL orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA), and DL single user (SU).

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive anuplink resource allocation in a transmission opportunity from the masterstation; and transmit a packet in accordance with the resourceallocation to the master station.

Example 20 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatstores instructions for execution by one or more processors, theinstructions to configure the one or more processors to cause a stationto: associate with a master station; decode a trigger frame or amulti-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the master station,wherein the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a first durationand a transmitter address; respond to the trigger frame or the MU-RTSframe if a network allocation vector (NAV) is not set, or if the NAV isset and a saved transmitter (TXOP) address for the NAV is the same asthe transmitter address of the MU-RTS or trigger frame and the triggerframe or MU-RTS indicates the station is to respond; and respond to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if the NAV is set and a response tothe trigger frame is to be an acknowledge (ACK) or block ACK (BA) andthe duration of the response is below a threshold.

In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20 can optionally includewhere the instructions are further to configure the one or moreprocessor to cause the wireless device to: encode a data frame,acknowledge (ACK) frame, or block ACK (BACK) frame, and respond to thetrigger frame by causing the data frame, the ACK frame, or the BACKframe to be transmitted to the master station in accordance with atleast one from the following group: multi-user multiple-inputmultiple-output (MU-MIMO) and orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 22, the subject matter of Examples 20 or 21 can optionallyinclude where the instructions are further to configure the one or moreprocessor to cause the wireless device to: set the NAV to the firstduration if the first duration is longer than a current duration of theNAV, and if the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame indicates the stationis not to respond to the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame.

In Example 23, the subject matter of any of Examples 20-22 canoptionally include where the instructions are further to configure theone or more processor to cause the wireless device to: determine if theMU-RTS indicates the station is to transmit a multi-user clear-to-send(MU-CTS), and if the wireless device is to transmit a MU-CTS, encode theMU-CTS with a duration field that indicates how long other wirelessdevices are to defer, wherein the duration field is determined based onthe first duration.

Example 24 is a method performed by a station, the method comprising:associating with a master station; decoding a trigger frame or amulti-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the master station,wherein the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a first durationand a transmitter address; responding to the trigger frame or the MU-RTSframe if a network allocation vector (NAV) is not set, or if the NAV isset and a saved transmitter (TXOP) address for the NAV is the same asthe transmitter address of the MU-RTS or trigger frame and the triggerframe or MU-RTS indicates the station is to respond; and responding tothe trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if the NAV is set and a responseto the trigger frame is to be an acknowledge (ACK) or block ACK (BA) andthe duration of the response is below a threshold.

In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24 can optionally includesetting the NAV to the first duration if the first duration is longerthan a current duration of the NAV, and if the trigger frame or theMU-RTS frame indicates the station is not to respond to the triggerframe or the MU-RTS frame.

Example 26 is an apparatus of a station, the apparatus comprising: meansfor associating with a master station; means for decoding a triggerframe or a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the masterstation, wherein the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a firstduration and a transmitter address; and means for responding to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if a network allocation vector (NAV)is not set, or if the NAV is set and a saved transmission opportunity(TXOP) holder address for the NAV is the same as the transmitter addressof the MU-RTS or trigger frame and the trigger frame or MU-RTS indicatesthe station is to respond.

In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 27 can optionally includemeans for responding to the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if the NAVis set and a response to the trigger frame is to be an acknowledge (ACK)or block ACK (BA) and the duration of the response is below a threshold.

In Example 28, the subject matter of Examples 26 or 27 can optionallyinclude means for encoding a data frame, acknowledge (ACK) frame, orblock ACK (BACK) frame; and means for responding to the trigger frame bycausing the data frame, the ACK frame, or the BACK frame to betransmitted to the master station in accordance with at least one fromthe following group: multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO)and orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 29, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-28 canoptionally include means for setting the NAV to the first duration ifthe first duration is longer than a current duration of the NAV, and ifthe trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame indicates the station is not torespond to the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame.

In Example 30, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-29 canoptionally include in response to the MU-RTS, means for encoding amulti-user clear-to-send (MU-CTS) with a duration field that indicateshow long other wireless devices are to defer, wherein the duration fieldis determined based on the first duration.

In Example 31, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-30 canoptionally include means for determining if the MU-RTS indicates thestation is to transmit a multi-user clear-to-send (MU-CTS), and if thewireless device is to transmit a MU-CTS, means for encoding the MU-CTSwith a duration field that indicates how long other wireless devices areto defer, wherein the duration field is determined based on the firstduration.

In Example 32, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-31 canoptionally include means for responding to the MU-RTS with a multi-userclear-to-send (MU-CTS); and means for encoding the MU-CTS with aduration field that indicates how long other wireless devices are todefer, wherein the duration field is determined based on the firstduration.

In Example 33, the subject matter of Example 32 can optionally includeif the NAV is set to the first duration, means for resetting the NAV, ifa clear-to-send (CTS) is not received from another wireless devicewithin a first predetermined time after the MU-RTS is received and datais not received from the master station within a second predeterminedtime.

In Example 34, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-33 canoptionally include where the MU-RTS further comprises an indication thatthe station is to transmit or receive in a transmission opportunity(TXOP).

In Example 35, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-34 canoptionally include means for responding to the trigger frame if aduration of an uplink transmission is less than a threshold and if thetrigger frame indicates the station is to respond.

In Example 36, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-35 canoptionally include means for responding to the trigger frame if anacknowledgement is to be transmitted to the master station in accordancewith the trigger frame.

In Example 37, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-36 canoptionally include where a broadcast address as the receiver address inthe MU-RTS does not indicate the address of the station.

In Example 38, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-37 canoptionally include means for entering a sleep state if the station isnot to participate in a transmission opportunity indicated by thetrigger frame or MU-RTS frame.

In Example 39, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-38 canoptionally include where the trigger frame comprises a time when thestation will receive or transmit in a transmission opportunity (TXOP)indicated by the trigger frame or MU-RTS frame, and further comprising:means for entering a sleep state until the time when the wireless deviceis to receive or transmit in the TXOP.

In Example 40, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-39 canoptionally include where the wireless device is one from the followinggroup: a station, an access point, an Institute of Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax access point, an IEEE 802.11axstation, and an IEEE station, and an IEEE access point.

In Example 41, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-40 canoptionally include means for transmitting and receiving electromagneticradiation.

In Example 42, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-41 canoptionally include means for receiving the trigger frame or MU-RTS inaccordance with one from the following group: multi-user multiple-inputmultiple-output (MU-MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA), and downlink single user (DL SU).

In Example 43, the subject matter of Example 42 can optionally includemeans for receiving a packet in a transmission opportunity indicated bythe trigger frame or MU-RTS in accordance with one or more from thefollowing group: downlink (DL) multi-user multiple-input multiple-output(MU-MIMO), DL orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), andDL single user (SU).

In Example 44, the subject matter of Example 43 can optionally includemeans for receiving an uplink resource allocation in a transmissionopportunity from the master station; and means for transmitting a packetin accordance with the resource allocation to the master station.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus of a station, the apparatuscomprising: a memory and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, theprocessing circuitry configured to: associate with a master station;decode a trigger frame or a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) framefrom the master station, wherein the trigger frame or the MU-RTS framecomprises a first duration and a transmitter address; if a networkallocation vector (NAV) is not set, or if the NAV is set and a savedtransmission opportunity (TXOP) holder address for the NAV is the sameas the transmitter address of the MU-RTS or trigger frame, in responseto the MU-RTS, if the MU-RTS indicates the station is to respond, encodea MU-CTS with a duration field that indicates how long other wirelessdevices are to defer, wherein the duration field is determined based onthe first duration, and configure the station to transmit the MU-CTS, inresponse to the trigger frame, if the trigger frame indicates thestation is to respond, encode a data frame, acknowledge (ACK) frame, orblock ACK (BACK) frame, and configure the station to transmit the dataframe, the ACK frame, or the BACK frame; and if the NAV is set to thefirst duration, reset the NAV, if a clear-to-send (CTS) is not receivedfrom another wireless device within a first predetermined time after theMU-RTS is received and data is not received from the master stationwithin a second predetermined time, wherein the memory is configured tostore the trigger frame or MU-RTS.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe processing circuitry is further configured to: respond to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame if the NAV is set and a response tothe trigger frame is to be an acknowledge (ACK) or block ACK (BA) andthe duration of the response is below a threshold.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:configure the station to transmit the data frame, acknowledge (ACK)frame, or block ACK (BACK) frame in accordance with at least one fromthe following group: multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO)and orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: set the NAV to the first duration if the first durationis longer than a current duration of the NAV, and if the trigger frameor the MU-RTS frame indicates the station is not to respond to thetrigger frame or the MU-RTS frame.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe processing circuitry is configured to: in response to the MU-RTS,encode a multi-user clear-to-send (MU-CTS) with a duration field thatindicates how long other wireless devices are to defer, wherein theduration field is determined based on the first duration.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:determine if the MU-RTS indicates the station is to transmit the MU-RTS.7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the MU-RTS further comprises anindication that the station is to transmit or receive in a transmissionopportunity (TXOP).
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: respond to the trigger frame if aduration of an uplink transmission is less than a threshold and if thetrigger frame indicates the station is to respond.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:respond to the trigger frame if an acknowledgement is to be transmittedto the master station in accordance with the trigger frame.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: determine a broadcast address value as a value of thereceiver address in the MU-RTS does not indicate the station shouldresponds to the MU-RTS.
 11. The wireless apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe processing circuitry is further configured to: enter a sleep stateif the station is not to participate in a transmission opportunityindicated by the trigger frame or MU-RTS frame.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the trigger frame comprises a time when the stationwill receive or transmit in a transmission opportunity (TXOP) indicatedby the trigger frame or MU-RTS frame, and wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: enter a sleep state until the timewhen the wireless device is to receive or transmit in the TXOP.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the station is one from the followinggroup: a station, an access point, an Institute of Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax access point, an IEEE 802.11axstation, and an IEEE station, and an IEEE access point.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more antennas coupled tothe processing circuitry.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessing circuitry is further configured to: receive the trigger frameor MU-RTS in accordance with one from the following group: multi-usermultiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO), orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA), and downlink single user (DL SU).
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: receive a packet in a transmission opportunity indicatedby the trigger frame or MU-RTS in accordance with one or more from thefollowing group: downlink (DL) multi-user multiple-input multiple-output(MU-MIMO), DL orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), andDL single user (SU).
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theprocessing circuitry is further configured to: receive an uplinkresource allocation in a transmission opportunity from the masterstation; and transmit a packet in accordance with the resourceallocation to the master station.
 18. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or moreprocessors of a station, the instructions to configure the one or moreprocessors to: associate with a master station; decode a trigger frameor a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the master station,wherein the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a first durationand a transmitter address; if a network allocation vector (NAV) is notset, or if the NAV is set and a saved transmission opportunity (TXOP)holder address for the NAV is the same as the transmitter address of theMU-RTS or trigger frame, in response to the MU-RTS, if the MU-RTSindicates the station is to respond, encode a MU-CTS with a durationfield that indicates how long other wireless devices are to defer,wherein the duration field is determined based on the first duration,and configure the station to transmit the MU-CTS, in response to thetrigger frame, if the trigger frame indicates the station is to respond,encode a data frame, acknowledge (ACK) frame, or block ACK (BACK) frame,and configure the station to transmit the data frame, the ACK frame, orthe BACK frame; and if the NAV is set to the first duration, reset theNAV, if a clear-to-send (CTS) is not received from another wirelessdevice within a first predetermined time after the MU-RTS is receivedand data is not received from the master station within a secondpredetermined time, wherein the memory is configured to store thetrigger frame or MU-RTS.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further toconfigure the one or more processor to: configure the station totransmit the data frame, acknowledge (ACK) frame, or block ACK (BACK)frame; in accordance with at least one from the following group:multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and orthogonalfrequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructionsare further to configure the one or more processors to: set the NAV tothe first duration if the first duration is longer than a currentduration of the NAV, and if the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frameindicates the station is not to respond to the trigger frame or theMU-RTS frame.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 18, wherein the instructions are further to configure the one ormore processors to: determine if the MU-RTS indicates the station is totransmit the MU-RTS.
 22. A method performed by a station, the methodcomprising: associating with a master station; decoding a trigger frameor a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) frame from the master station,wherein the trigger frame or the MU-RTS frame comprises a first durationand a transmitter address; if a network allocation vector (NAV) is notset, or if the NAV is set and a saved transmission opportunity (TXOP)holder address for the NAV is the same as the transmitter address of theMU-RTS or trigger frame, in response to the MU-RTS, if the MU-RTSindicates the station is to respond, encoding a MU-CTS with a durationfield that indicates how long other wireless devices are to defer,wherein the duration field is determined based on the first duration,and configuring the station to transmit the MU-CTS, in response to thetrigger frame, if the trigger frame indicates the station is to respond,encoding a data frame, acknowledge (ACK) frame, or block ACK (BACK)frame, and configuring the station to transmit the data frame, the ACKframe, or the BACK frame; and if the NAV is set to the first duration,resetting the NAV, if a clear-to-send (CTS) is not received from anotherwireless device within a first predetermined time after the MU-RTS isreceived and data is not received from the master station within asecond predetermined time wherein the memory is configured to store thetrigger frame or MU-RTS.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:setting the NAV to the first duration if the first duration is longerthan a current duration of the NAV, and if the trigger frame or theMU-RTS frame indicates the station is not to respond to the triggerframe or the MU-RTS frame.